Because South America offers so much, you may wish to tour a specific area with a group, allowing yourself to be guided by those who know the continent best, especially if you seek to explore remote locations off the beaten path.
The Galápagos Archipelago is a paradise of fearless and exotic wildlife treasured by naturalists and beach lovers alike. Said to have influenced Charles Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection and often called the enchanted islands, the Galápagos includes approximately 13 volcanic islands and islets in the Pacific, about 600 miles west of the Ecuador coastline.
Tortuga Galápagos Tour, offered by Active South America at Activesouthamerica.com, includes cycling in the San Cristobal highlands, snorkeling and diving with the seals at Kicker Rock, giant tortoises in Tortuga Bay, and hiking in the Sierra Negra Volcano, among other treats.
Hikers will love Active South America’s Condor Tour of Patagonia in the southernmost area of South America traversing the Andes mountains, Argentina and Chile. Considered the Hiking Capital of the World, Patagonia features thrilling mountain ranges, lakes, rivers, a Pacific coastline of remote fjords and inlets, and Torres del Paine National Park. You can anticipate an intimate exploration of some of the world’s natural wonders on foot and by bike, boat and kayak.
If you love cats, South America is a place where the jaguar is king. South American jaguars do not even bother to carry their kills into the trees to protect themselves while eating because no other animal would even consider challenging a jaguar!
The Wild Wings (www.wildwings.co.uk/braziljaguars.html) Jaguar Tour in the Pantanal will take you face to face with these magnificent felines in open country. You will also see giant otters, giant anteaters, crab-eating foxes, black and gold howler monkeys, black-tailed marmoset and other exotic creatures.